South Korean feeder operator Namsung Shipping this week launched an Internet of Things (IoT)-based service to monitor and track refrigerated containers.
The basic service enables shippers to check the movement of reefers and is targeted at customers with refrigerated cargoes passing through China and Indonesia, due to the vast hinterland in the former and the many islands in the latter.
The premium version allows shippers to check the reefer temperature in real time. Shippers who depend on cold chain logistics, such as pharmaceutical companies, are expected to become major customers as quick action can be taken before problems arise.
Namsung’s representative said that this is the first IoT-based project implemented by a South Korean shipping company, with the support of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and the Korea Ocean Business Corporation.
The IoT equipment is provided by compatriot logistics solution specialist S-Winnus, and the real-time monitoring is facilitated by US mobile network provider ORBCOMM.
Namseong plans to expand this service to dry containers in the future, to simultaneously improve operational efficiency and customer convenience.